As you think about the NBA Draft on Thursday, maybe even get a little excited about some of the prospects, ponder this one:

Where would Lance Stephenson be selected had he stayed in college?

The 6-5 guard would be coming off his junior season. Considering he averaged 12.3 points as a freshman, it's reasonable to conclude he would be at least a lottery-level talent.

This is why it is often wise to invest a second-round pick in a raw player whose productivity has not yet matched up to his potential, as Larry Bird did with the 40th pick in 2010. With two seasons of NBA schooling behind him, Stephenson now stands poised to make the jump into a full-time slot in the rotation—if he continues to progress in the summer.

In other words, Born Ready is almost ready.

"He's got to continue to play within himself and channel his imagination with his passing," Coach Frank Vogel said. "His imagination is extraordinary but it gets him in trouble sometimes.

"The more solid he can play, whether it's pick-up ball in the summertime or next year, he's got to get into the habit of making the right basketball plays and not the spectacular basketball plays."

After appearing in just 12 games as a rookie, Stephenson played in nearly two-thirds of the games in 2011-12. In 42 games, he averaged 10.5 minutes, 2.5 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists.

He was a fixture in the first half of the season playing in 32 of the first 35 games but with fell out of the picture, making just 10 appearances in the final 31.

But that final appearance left a lasting impression.

With the third seed clinched and Danny Granger and Leandro Barbosa given the night off to nurse injuries, Stephenson started for the first time and racked up 22 points on 10 of 15 shooting, playing 35 minutes without a turnover.

Against a Chicago team playing at relative full strength, battling for the top seed in the postseason, Stephenson scored 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting in the fourth quarter but the Pacers fell short, 92-87.

It was a performance made even more remarkable by the fact he shot 2 of 4 from the 3-point line, doubling his career output. Stephenson had been 2 of 31 in his first 53 games.

He has the ability to get inside the defense and create a shot or a play seemingly at will. As a passer, his vision and creativity is unmatched on the roster but his judgment needs refinement. Defensively, he has come a long way but has a ways to travel before achieving true soundness within the system.

The Pacers initially thought Stephenson's future was as a big point guard but it is now apparent he was built to play the other backcourt spot, where his size and skill set fit much more naturally. But how big a role he can carve next season depends heavily on his ability to improve his jump shot.

"He has to develop his 3-point shooting," Vogel said. "If he's going to play more at the two, then he's got to be able to space the floor. His 3-point shooting took a big leap this year, he did a lot of positive work with Brian Shaw, who was really raving at the end of the season about how far he had come.

"With his physicality and size and athleticism and his ability to make plays, if he comes back with a 3-point shot the way Paul George came back from year one to year two, I think it's going to be impossible not to have in the rotation and be a big part of what we're doing. If he develops that, look out."

George shot .298 from the arc as a rookie but jumped to .385 this past season. No one is expecting Stephenson to become Reggie Miller from long range, but he has to pose a threat because if opponents have to respect the 3-point shot it will give him that much more room to break down the defense off the dribble.

There's a reason Bird has stood staunchly, sometimes stubbornly, behind Stephenson. There's a reason Bird declared him the most talented player on the roster.

That reason should become obvious next season.

docpaul

06-25-2012, 10:25 PM

Most noteworthy part of this article is the hints that they perhaps ultimately see Stephenson as a 2. This was surprising based on what I saw out of him this year.

Steagles

06-25-2012, 10:51 PM

I don't like that hell be played at 2. He could be that PG we need.

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DrFife

06-25-2012, 11:53 PM

I don't like that hell be played at 2. He could be that PG we need.

:hmm: Uh oh, here we go ... Hatfields vs. McCoys: The Sequel.

xIndyFan

06-26-2012, 12:13 AM

i hope he can be a PG. that would be best. but if he can play, i don't care where.

CJ Jones

06-26-2012, 01:11 AM

I've changed my thoughts on Lance as a PG for the time being. He still has a lot to learn about playing within a system, making the right kind of passes, and just being comfortable/calm on the court. He always seems like he's in a hurry. If the game ever slows down for him watch out.

I still think he needs the ball in his hands on offense to be most effective, but there's other ways to get him the ball than having him control it all the way down the court. Although, he should be the guy we look to outlet to first during fast breaks. He really does have special vision and passing ability in those freestyle situations. It comes natural to him while it seems like the rest of our guys are thinking too hard instead of just playing free.

I look forward to him earning a spot in the rotation this year. Hopefully when he does it's more than a just cameo in the first half. 7-8 minutes a half I think would be fare shot.

imbtyler

06-26-2012, 02:35 AM

I'm a huge fan of Stephenson. He represents that streetball-to-pros facet that I love. He's got a lot of potential just waiting to be fulfilled. I can't wait to see how he ends up panning out, whether he's playing point or shooting guard. As long as he's playing great basketball.

wintermute

06-26-2012, 07:01 AM

The Pacers initially thought Stephenson's future was as a big point guard but it is now apparent he was built to play the other backcourt spot, where his size and skill set fit much more naturally. But how big a role he can carve next season depends heavily on his ability to improve his jump shot.

Hallelujah! Can we finally put the whole "Lance is a PG" business to rest? He's a playmaking SG, and yes developing an outside shot will do wonders for him.

Sparhawk

06-26-2012, 10:39 AM

I've always thought Lance should be the primary backup at SG. Hope he earns it next year. However, I think the Pacers need to work on different lineup looks to try to gain advantages next year. I think Lance can still play some point. Maybe something like 75% at SG and 25% at the point. That way we can probably keep Lance on the floor longer. His man defense still needs work, but he's really picked up the lanes and is like PG picking steals in the lanes.

If Lance has a consistent outside shot, the sky's the limit. No one will no what he'll do? Shoot from outside, post, drive and dish? I've been saying all year that Lance will be our X factor next season.

Lance, don't let me down. Work on your shot and making the right play/pass, not the sexy play/pass.

spazzxb

06-26-2012, 01:23 PM

:hmm: Uh oh, here we go ... Hatfields vs. McCoys: The Sequel.

no-one said anything about AJ, we should be safe. :-)

A-Train

06-26-2012, 01:36 PM

:hmm: Uh oh, here we go ... Hatfields vs. McCoys: The Sequel.

Jalen vs Best as our PG all over again! :cool:

PacersHomer

06-26-2012, 01:38 PM

I'm a big fan of his game. So much potential that I am not ready to give up on. If he develops his shot he could and should be our backup 2 next year barring a Brandon Roy signing. His defense wasn't too bad last year either.